Press Releases

First Lady Promotes Tanzania’s Participation in International Folklife Festival

October 17, 2006

The Smithsonian Institution in the United States incorporates the largest collection of museums in one country in the world— 17 museums and related research organizations. Since 1967, the Smithsonian’s Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage has mounted an annual Folklife Festival that is visited by over one million people and seen by an additional 30 million Americans.

Exhibits typically highlight arts and culture from several regions in the United States and at least one foreign country. Dance, music, storytelling, cooking, crafts and song are all part of the multi-day festival that takes place along the Washington Mall, an expansive outdoor park where people walk, jog, and spend time under the sun and stars. The Folklife Festival is the largest yearly cultural event based in the American capital. During her trip to the United States in September, First Lady Salma Kikwete met with managers of the Smithsonian to convince them that Tanzania should be fast-tracked for participation in the Fair.

The First Lady, looking regal in her African dress stood before the team, twirled once and said: “I know most countries send you letters, memos and pictures but Tanzania sent me, the First Lady, to convince you that Tanzania should be chosen as a participant in the Folklife Festival.” The Smithsonian team was delighted.

Explaining that Tanzania would make a vibrant addition to the Festival, Mrs. Kikwete displayed photos of Tanzania’s colorful Tinga Tinga paintings, intricately carved Makonde wood sculpture, Kangas and Kikois, basketry, Zanzibari spices and architecture, tribal jewelry and a mesmerizing video demonstrating the beauty and breadth of Tanzania’s history and natural places.

Dazzled by the impressive cultural artifacts and Mrs. Kikwete’s enthusiasm, festival managers assured the First Lady that Tanzania’s participation would be welcome.

Undaunted by the prospect of as much as two years of preparatory planning, Mrs. Kikwete convinced the Smithsonian team that Tanzanians were up to the task, inviting them to visit Tanzania in 2007 for a first-hand meeting with Tanzania’s people, culture and history.